Mental health strategy aims to improve support

The Government of Jersey is putting prevention and early intervention at the forefront of its All Age Mental Health Strategy for the next five years.

Health and Social Services minister, Deputy Tom Binet said it sets out plans "to improve mental health and wellbeing at every stage of life".

The government strategy said: "Many islanders have told us that getting the right mental health help can still feel confusing and hard to navigate."

Survey responses from islanders included comments that they felt "support can arrive too late, feel disconnected or be inconsistent".

Minister for Children and Families, Connétable Richard Vibert said: "Many of us experience mental health challenges at some point in our lives.

"We know these difficulties often begin early, and they can shape the way a child grows, learns, and moves into adulthood."

He said the strategy included early support, crisis care and rehabilitation and recovery help and is designed for people "from early childhood right through to later life".

It comes as adult mental health services in Jersey saw new referrals rise 57% between 2023 and 2025, with 5,733 new cases last year.

There were 906 new referrals to the child and adolescent mental health unit last year, and a total a caseload of 1,885 - more than three times the number in 2018.

The government said most mental health disorders develop early in life, with half of the conditions beginning by age 14 and 75% presenting by age 24.

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